No more Java-centric project in Jokowi’s second year: Golkar chairman

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto said that the infrastructure developments on the outskirts of developed areas and in villages outside Java were being improved.

“I see no more Java-centric infrastructure project in President Joko Widodo (Jokowis) second year,” Novanto said here on Thursday.

Novanto expressed hope that all infrastructure development projects would be completed soon in an attempt to accelerate economic growth in the region.

“The cabinet has worked well through a number of programs, such as maritime shaft program, the National Health Insurance (JKN) program, the Indonesian Smart Cards (KIP) program and school operational aid (BOS),” Novanto stated.

With regard to politics, Jokowi has been able to harmonize the governments relations with political parties.

“We can see a good relationship between the government and the House of Representatives,” he said.

On Thursday (Oct 13), Jokowi pointed out that connectivity was needed to facilitate the movement of people and goods and to support the economy in the outer regions.

When asked about the significance of developing connectivity for improving the national economy, Jokowi said that the development of infrastructure projects needs faster movement of human resources and material. Besides, better connectivity brings down project costs.

Such projects could be on the land or the sea or could even be connected to air traffic. Examples cited were roads, toll roads, seaports, airports and railroads on remote islands and regions.

The president underlined that Acehs direct link with Papua would be the most important example of enhanced connectivity.

He reminded that better infrastructure not just translates into good economics and material benefits but also strengthens national unity.

Asked how the development of border regions would impact connectivity and peoples welfare, Jokowi emphasized that it was his wish that people should have a sense of pride when they travel along the border.

Citing an example, he recalled his visit to Motaain and said when he turned eastwards, he could see great buildings, but on the Indonesian side, there were only small structures and tiny shops that hardly induced pride.

Also, he noted that goods should be able to be transported by land, whether from Motaain to Timor Leste or from Entikong in Kalimantan to Malaysia.

Therefore, he not only called for the development of immigration, quarantine or other border crossing service offices but also for larger markets to create economic benefits and make it easier to export products to other countries.
(Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/F001)